TO SATISFY THE global need for alternative energy supply through nickel, the Caraga region with all its 23 operating nickel mines, is at greater risk of climate crisis, environmental degradation, human rights abuses and destruction of its fishing and farming livelihoods.
According to global organization Climate Rights International’s November 3 report, the Philippines is the top exporter of raw nickel ore and the world’s second largest producer of nickel, a mineral used in batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage.
CRI asked the government, nickel mining companies and downstream users of nickel, including EV and battery companies, to take immediate steps to prevent and remedy environmental degradation and human rights abuses resulting from nickel mining.
Its 125-page report entitled “Broken Promises: Philippines Nickel Mining Causes Rights Abuses and Increases Climate Vulnerability” interviewed 57 residents and workers who live near nickel mines in Dinagata Island and Surigao del Sur with respondents claiming destruction of their fishing and farming livelihoods, severe environmental pollution that threatens drinking water and health, increased rates of food insecurity, new difficulties accessing education, lack of accountability for harms, and attacks, killings, criminalization and intimidation of those who speak out, including environmental and human rights defenders.
‘Nickel mining operations drive deforestation and the loss of species that provide climate resilience, such as terrestrial and mangrove forests. When deforestation occurs, carbon stored in both plant matter and soil may be released into the atmosphere, turning a carbon sink into a source of emissions.’
HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES
CRI previously reported similar abuses on humans, the environment and climate harms linked to nickel mining and processing in Indonesia where multinational companies benefited from the nickel supply chain but did not bother to address documented harms and abuses in Indonesia.
In the Philippines nickel mining is destroying fishing and farming livelihoods, creating food insecurity, and causing noxious pollution of drinking water,” said CRI researcher Krista Shennum.
“Environmental and human rights defenders face attacks, criminalization, and even death for speaking out. The government must prioritize the rights and well-being of frontline mining communities—who bear no responsibility for the climate crisis—by holding companies accountable for abuses and environmental harms.”
ENVIRONMENTAL DESTRUCTION
Nickel mining operations drive deforestation and the loss of species that provide climate resilience, such as terrestrial and mangrove forests. When deforestation occurs, carbon stored in both plant matter and soil may be released into the atmosphere, turning a carbon sink into a source of emissions.
Residents in Tubajon, Diinagat Island described how forest and mangrove losses drove their communities more exposed to storm surges, high winds, and flooding during extreme weather events like the devastating Super Typhoon Odette in 2021.
Pollution from nickel mining posed existential threat to the fishermen’s way of life. In Dinagat Island and Surigao del Sur, fisherfolk told CRI how water pollution from mining areas has harmed fisheries and made it impossible for people to continue fishing.
Farming became more difficult, even impossible, because of loss of farmland, frequent flooding of fields from mining- choked rivers, and dust and water pollution from nearby mining activities. The lowland crop, rice, is particularly affected by flooding and siltation. Poor mining practices threaten the fundamental right to food.
Pollution from nickel mining and its resultant negative impact on livelihoods make it tougher for families to feed themselves, said 46-year old mother, Analiza, of Tubajon, Dinagat Island. “It is now hard to feed my family. We are hungry most of the time,” lamented the mother of four.
Siltation and runoff from mining operations have polluted their drinking water. The residents of Dinagat and Surigao told CRI they have developed health problems, including respiratory and skin ailments because of pollution from nearby mines.
MOST DANGEROUS COUNTRY
The Philippines is Asia’s most dangerous country for land and environmental defenders.
The respondents told CRI of knowing individuals whose killings they believe were linked to their anti-mining activities or who had experienced attacks, harassment, or intimidation themselves.
Some individuals in the Caraga Region and across the Philippines who have challenged mining companies have faced Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) that they believe are intended to silence their activism.
Despite the lucrative mining operations, companies have not been giving just compensation to residents of Dinagat Island for the use of their land, destruction of their crops, or use of their homes and other structures.
Shennum said people living in mining communities face harms from powerful companies who act with almost total impunity. “As one of the countries most impacted by the climate crisis, the government should hold companies accountable and ensure that the nickel industry isn’t exacerbating the impacts of climate change on local communities.
A general lack of transparency by many mining companies impacts the ability of local governments and communities to actively participate in approving mining projects or monitoring mining impacts. Despite ongoing complaints from local communities, those directly impacted face a lack of accountability and remedies for the harm they have suffered.
STOP ISSUING NEW PERMITS
CRI asked the government, particularly the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, to fully enforce and strengthen laws and regulations to minimize the impacts of nickel mining on communities, by stopping new mining permits until the industry meets domestic and international environmental standards, including management of mining waste.
CRI said many nickel mining companies in the Caraga Region are linked to active and former politicians, politically- connected families, and wealthy businessmen. Nickel companies should take immediate steps to remedy water and air pollution caused by their operations and properly dispose of mine waste to minimize environmental pollution.
Companies producing EV cars and batteries must use their leverage to ensure suppliers’ end and remedy rights abuses, clean up water and air pollution, and protect the rights of environmental and human rights defenders. EV companies must improve transparency by providing public information about all companies in their transition mineral supply chains.
Shennum suggested that EV vehicle and battery companies must demand that the mining industry cleans up its act. “Their customers are environmentally- conscious and will decide to buy from companies with the cleanest record. If EV companies want to position themselves as global leaders in the fight against climate change, they must demand that mining companies in their supply chains respect the rights of communities and end environmentally destructive practices.”